Luxury Hotel Barging Guide

V O L 6 . 2 F R E E D O W N L O A D discover Sharing our love for France's spectacular waterways Hotel barging Luxury hotel barge cruising in France as heralded by Thomas Jefferson continue to deliver exquisite French experiences. P A G E 2 G U I D E T O H O T E L B A R G E C R U I S I N G Exclusive & enchanting YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO LUXURY HOTEL BARGE CRUISING IN FRANCE Combine the exclusive comforts of a boutique hotel with a tranquil inland cruise and you’ll have one of the world’s most privileged and memorable pleasures – a luxury barge vacation in France. Voyage through lush countryside, explore historic towns and villages, savour new tastes and relax in sumptuous luxury. Barging in France has it all. Hotel barges are elegant and supremely comfortable, converted from traditional vessels or created as cruising boutique hotels from new. They are large and stable so you’ll experience the smoothest of relaxing week-long vacations with a professional English-speaking crew who'll delight in introducing you to new gastronomic experiences. Comfortable, calm, slow travel; delicious cuisine and wines; fascinating private excursions; top class service. These are the essential ingredients for every luxury hotel barge in French Waterways’ selection. Ruth & the team Intimate atmosphere with few guests on board Unparalleled level of personal service Luxury suites with double or single bedded cabins Relaxed and unhurried daily itinerary, cruising at just 3 mph Immersion in fascinating local culture and history Fine dining with your private chef; exclusive wine-tasting at top vineyards Bespoke experiences tailored to your party’s interests H O T E L B A R G E R O I S O L E I L © D M C A R T H U R P A G E 3 G U I D E T O H O T E L B A R G E C R U I S I N G Discover hidden France WHICH IS THE BEST REGION TO EXPLORE? Each region of France offers a glorious variety of treasures for you to discover – in cuisine, wine, architecture and culture – so it’s almost impossible to choose one region over another. Add geography and climate to the mix and your choice of barge vacations are endless, offering a fascinating range of blissful destinations for you to experience and come to love. Whether you’re a first-timer or a frequent visitor to France, French Waterways’ selection of luxury barges covers the length and breadth of France. Each will take you along a peaceful scenic waterway to beautiful places not easily reached by other means – the secret wonders of hidden France. We talk to clients throughout the world every day, especially in America and Australia, sharing our extensive knowledge about barging in France; our experience of cruising the waterways is unrivalled and widely recognised. P A G E 4 G U I D E T O H O T E L B A R G E C R U I S I N G THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH The Canal du Midi spans the departments of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées and passes through unique and breathtaking landscapes. Avenues of majestic plane trees that still line much of its route, bordered by fields of shining sunflowers and gently sloping vineyards as it weaves through charming villages. The must-see medieval castle at Carcassonne is as stunning as the engineering and construction feat of this ancient waterway – both UNESCO listed this region is at the top of the list. Provence conjures up the perfumed fields of lavender and bright sunflowers, the artistry of Van Gogh and the rich wines of Châteauneuf du Pape. The landscapes are rocky, the light dazzling, and the major cities of the Rhône River – Avignon and Arles – lead you south to the Camargue, its delicious sea-food delta, its white horses, pink flamingo and azure blue sea-scapes. Cruise here for lashings of sunshine and Mediterranean cuisine. Aquitaine in the south-west corner of France is an ancient wine-growing region, famed for its St Emilion label amongst many other top vineyards surrounding its capital, Bordeaux. The quiet Canal de Garonne, linking the Atlantic ocean to the Canal du Midi at Toulouse, is now one of Europe’s top fruit growing regions offering scented blossoms in spring and bountiful harvest scenes in the autumn. Choose this route to discover delicious wines and the rich historic heritage of the land of the bastides, once in English hands. P A G E 5 G U I D E T O H O T E L B A R G E C R U I S I N G IN DEEPEST BURGUNDY Famous for its red and white wines and its Grand Cru route through the vineyards, the region bursts with culinary prowess and the cultural richness bestowed by the Dukes of Burgundy. Together with the western lands of the Loire River, famed as the Garden of France, the region’s wealth of waterways were once busy trade conduits to Paris and across France for wood and stone, wheat and wine. Now, they offer several delightfully enchanting and peaceful routes through sunny rolling vistas, with hundreds of châteaux, famous vineyards and picturesque villages to explore. With the Côte d’Or and the Saône River to the south Burgundy’s variety of cruising routes inspires voyagers to return over and again. P A G E 6 G U I D E T O H O T E L B A R G E C R U I S I N G PARIS AND THE EAST Discover the iconic sights and thrilling delights of Parisian city life, interspersed with gourmet dining and street-café lunches. Then, head off east to immerse yourself in the famous vineyards and cellars of Champagne’s lush green hillsides. Make this your cruise to unravel the mysteries of bubbly. Cross the Vosges mountains to discover the picture-book scenery and culture of the Alsace region, its cuisine and architecture mingling with Germanic influences from across the Rhine River and its romantic sparkling Christmas markets attracting seasonal visitors from around the world. Fly to the stunning city of Strasbourg to cruise this lesser known region. Contact us for guidance about each and every region, its countryside, towns, villages, culture and rivers and canals - or visit our destinations page on www.french-waterways.com. Our experience is uniquely based on more than 10,000km of cruising the French Waterways network ourselves - we know each hotel barge and its regional itinerary, up close and in person. P A G E 7 G U I D E T O H O T E L B A R G E C R U I S I N G Authentic experiences WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? France is the world’s most beloved home of fine wines, Wine and cruises exceptional cuisine and haute couture. She is steeped in Gourmet skills European history, architectural heritage and culture- but away Walking and biking from the well-known icons of Paris and large cities lies authentic History and culture French life, natural and captivating - a wealth of beauty and Creative expression fascination. Wherever you journey on the waterways there’s Adventure and excitement something mouth-watering to savour, views to marvel at and Golf and watersports things to discover. Beauty and wellness For seven days and six nights aboard your barge you’ll enjoy sunny breakfasts and evening sunsets on deck, forgetting worldly cares as you absorb France as she should be seen, away from the crowds, relaxing with your private party. Each day you’ll also venture forth, in air-conditioned comfort away from the barge, to explore and enjoy nearby places of interest and discover local wines. Charter parties may enjoy bespoke itineraries, crafted to suit the groups’ interests. P A G E 8 G U I D E T O H O T E L B A R G E C R U I S I N G AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES Take it easy Barge cruising is quiet, slow and peaceful. The level towpath alongside is perfect for walking and each barge has bikes, whether pedal-powered or electric powered, to get you into the surrounding countryside and the pretty villages. Enjoy the good life Dining in France is supremely important and your private on board chef ensures that only the finest ingredients are used, usually from local producers. Your cruise will include a trip to the nearby market to help select the freshest cut of locally grown beef or bunch of asparagus. Vegetarian, kosher, low- carbohydrate or gluten-free foods, and your favourite beverages, will be catered for with relish. Guests may also enjoy a lunch or dinner taken onshore locally in authentic French style at an Informal village bistro or Michelin starred haute-cuisine restaurant. Out and about France is an endless source of historical sites, architectural heritage and artefacts of civilisation. There are also opportunities for more active pursuits – kayaking, climbing or horse-riding for example. Cave exploration, canoeing, archery and treetop swinging are just some of the activities that can be organised to keep you on your toes – ideal for a multi-generation cruise. P A G E 9 G U I D E T O H O T E L B A R G E C R U I S I N G A TYPICAL ITINERARY - BARGE GRAND VICTORIA, BURGUNDY Cruise the peaceful dreamy waters of the Saône River through Burgundy’s rich tapestry of famed vineyards, rolling hillsides, enchanting châteaux and culinary excellence.

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